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UZ Ladies Chess Team Victorious at ZITISU

Sequel to the last article posted on this platform, about the victory of the University of Zimbabwe ladies, who won the Universities tournament to challenge the top three (3) finishers from the various higher education establishments in Zimbabwe.

The Finals of the higher education chess tournament for the Universities, Teachers Colleges and Polytechnics was hosted by Bulawayo Polytechnic, which held from the 17th to the 20th of May, 2018, and the games were played at Milton Boys High School during this period. Fireworks and eruptions were experienced on the checkered boards, as a lot of exciting games were witnessed during the aforementioned period, which will be highlighted in this report.

Before the main team event, University of Zimbabwe had shown dominance in the ladies section by scooping the gold medal in the Open ladies tournament put together by Bulawayo Polytechnic. The tournament was held in Bulawayo and lived to its billings, as the nine teams who had qualified were duly represented, with three (3) universities, three polytechnics (3) and three (3) teachers college teams who all took part in this chess fiesta.

Chelsea Mahla looking relaxed | Image credit Lewis Kahoba

As they did during the University Games, the University of Zimbabwe team defeated all the other teams and only dropped points against National University of Science who managed to pick up a two all draw. The team comprised of Nyashanu Cynthia, Mashayamombe Samantha, Mahla Chelsea and Mangwayana Gracewho were all present to produce the victorious result at both the ZUSA Games and now here.

These were the players on boards one up to four in their order. The other two ladies who were also part of the UZ team but did not play are: Vimbai Mutingarife and Eunice Nharaunda. The National University of Science and Technology that was led by WCM Paidaishe Zengeni held their own against the fearsome University of Zimbabwe ladies team. Midlands State University failed to field a team in this ladies section and this meant that only two varsity teams took part in this competition..All in all the University of Zimbabwe ladies team won eight games and only drew one game. They only won one game with a margin of 3-1, while the other six games they whitewashed their opponents in the process claiming the first position and undoubtebly won some gold medals as well as ensuring that they represent Zimbabwe at the CUCSA games to be held in Botswana sometime in June, 2018.

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National University of Science and Technology came second with five wins and three draws. They drew against University of Zimbabwe, TESAZ team I, The Lewis Kahoba coached University of Zimbabwe won some gold medals for coming out first. They were followed by Kudakwashe Sibanda coached National University of Science and Technology(NUST) who won silver medals and the bronze medals went to Midlands State University. Tertiary Education Association Sports Association of Zimbabwe came third after NUST to win the bronze medal after NUST who scooped a silver medal. The TESAZ team won four games, drew one and lost two games to end in a respectable position of third.Zimbabwe Teachers College Sports Association came fourth the team was led by former national team player Nomalanga Mathe who is at Hillside Teachers College. She played chess which helped her side come fourth with her colleagues.